A program that helps high school students soar into their future careers just got a boost from the state of Ohio.

The Partnership for Innovation in Education, or PIE, is a local non-profit which helps students gain hands-on work experience.

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Students at Taft High School are learning how to build and fly drones through the organization’s drone program.

"Drones are really fun to fly when they go 80 miles per hour,” seventh grade student Eddie Julious said.

Julious, along with several others are learning how to operate drones through the after-school program.

Program leaders said learning how to build and fly drones is teaching students math, science and engineering.

"We really use this drone technology program to allow kids to experience skill sets, that not only allows them to work together, but become the future employees that cannot only operate a drone for real estate agencies and electric companies and fortune 500 companies, but also allows them to dream,” CEO of PIE Mary Welsh Schlueter said.

Schlueter said the program is intended to help create after school jobs and prepare students for future careers.

"You pick an industry and the drone technology will be there,” IT technician Matt Ernst said.

The program is teaching students that flying drones is more than just fun and games.

"You might think it's easy but it's really not. I mean, some drones require a lot of mental focus, because if you don't you could mess up and crash,” 9th grade student, Keysean Taylor said.

PIE recently received a $350,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Education.

"With this drone program, the kids age 16, can apply for and become certified as a commercial drone pilot, FAA licensed pilot, and they can start working as a drone pilot here in Cincinnati and beyond,” Schlueter said.

Program leaders said their goal for next year is to create a drone program specifically for girls, and children with special needs.

Their hope is to teach empowerment and leadership skills for all who come through the program.